Ranthambore
Ranthambore is primarily scores its point on the list of tourist attractions because of its tiger reserve. However, the place offers you much more for sightseeing and going on excursions. Situated on the border of the Thar Desert, Ranthambore is surrounded by the Vindhya Hills and the Aravali Hills. Its very location gives it an advantage of possessing the treasure of mysterious desert lands as well as plain area near the hills. The vegetation primarily comprises of deciduous forests.
Ranthambore was the erstwhile hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1955 when it was declared as a game sanctuary. With the emergence of Project Tiger, it was declared a national park and listed among its protected reserves in 1980. With time, it emerged as the wildlife photographers' delight as it offers them a chance to photograph the tiger in its natural environment. A Jeep Safari in the national park, a cultural and traditional experience with the Meena tribes, and for the more adventurous, a night-out in the hideouts of the park makes Ranthambore a good choice to visit.
CLIMATE
Ranthambore has extreme desert climate having dry and hot summers and cool to chilly winters. The temperature in summer (from April to June) is around 40ºC. In winters (from October to March), days are sunny and pleasant days but during nights, temperature can be pretty low.
WHERE TO EAT
Ranthambore has quite a few restaurants and hotels and ones that are there are spread across over a vast area. Though Sawai Madhopur has few good eat-out points, it is much advisable to stuff yourself before you leave your hotel to ensure a good meal.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Ganesh Chaturthi holds a special place in Ranthambore and Sawai Madhopur and is celebrated to commemorate the origin of Lord Ganesh, who is said to have been born on this day. The Ganesha temple in the fort of Ranthambore is one of the most eminent Ganesha temples of Rajasthan. On this day, thousands of devotees visit the temple. There are songs and 'bhajans' praising Lord Ganesha. The area has its own share of markets where you can find general merchandise and small trinkets to shop for.
SHOPPING ATTRACTIONS
Tourists who wish to go on a shopping spree may take a ride to the nearest town of Ranthambore National Park. Along with other typical Rajasthani memorabilia such as tie and dye and batik fabrics and traditional ethnic silver jewellery, the paintings in the style of Ranthambore School of Art is the hot picks among the tourists. The paintings typically portray tigers, inspired by the Project tiger, which aims to conserve the species.
Pushkar Fair is held in the month of Kartik that usually falls in October or November. One of the most sought-after fair in Rajasthan, a lot of tourists come to Pushkar Fair on pilgrimage as well as to see the display of a mystifying array of items. With the picturesque sand dunes as its backdrop, the camel fair and camel, horse and donkey races are the featured events of the fair.
People indulge themselves in body tattooing as the villagers from distant places come here to trade their wares. The fair is a gala occasion full of music and dance, fun and frolic, echoing songs in the desert land and colorful costumes of the performers. There is a tourist village designed to complement the natural beauty of the site, arranged in blocks of tents that have unique identity and are named after the famous Rajasthani dances.
One can shop for textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, bead necklaces of Nagaur, woollen blankets of Merta, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur, saddles, ropes, and many others assorted household items. Cultural shows, competitions and exhibitions are organized and movies are shown to enliven the event. One can also savor the songs and poems and bards that recite tales of valor, romance and heroism of bygone days.
HOW TO REACH.
By Air: The nearest airport to Ranthambore is Jaipur, which in turn has daily flights to and from Delhi and Mumbai. It is also well connected with Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad and Calcutta.
By Train:The nearest railway station to Ranthambore is Sawai Madhopur, which falls on Delhi-Mumbai route and hence some of the major trains stop here on their way.
By Road: Ranthambore has bus services to and from Sawai Madhopur, which is well connected with all the major cities of Rajasthan, but they may not be very comfortable. Rajasthan tourism buses are little better but the best option is to hire a four-wheeler.
Ranthambore was the erstwhile hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1955 when it was declared as a game sanctuary. With the emergence of Project Tiger, it was declared a national park and listed among its protected reserves in 1980. With time, it emerged as the wildlife photographers' delight as it offers them a chance to photograph the tiger in its natural environment. A Jeep Safari in the national park, a cultural and traditional experience with the Meena tribes, and for the more adventurous, a night-out in the hideouts of the park makes Ranthambore a good choice to visit.
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Ranthambore has extreme desert climate having dry and hot summers and cool to chilly winters. The temperature in summer (from April to June) is around 40ºC. In winters (from October to March), days are sunny and pleasant days but during nights, temperature can be pretty low.
WHERE TO EAT
Ranthambore has quite a few restaurants and hotels and ones that are there are spread across over a vast area. Though Sawai Madhopur has few good eat-out points, it is much advisable to stuff yourself before you leave your hotel to ensure a good meal.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Ganesh Chaturthi holds a special place in Ranthambore and Sawai Madhopur and is celebrated to commemorate the origin of Lord Ganesh, who is said to have been born on this day. The Ganesha temple in the fort of Ranthambore is one of the most eminent Ganesha temples of Rajasthan. On this day, thousands of devotees visit the temple. There are songs and 'bhajans' praising Lord Ganesha. The area has its own share of markets where you can find general merchandise and small trinkets to shop for.
SHOPPING ATTRACTIONS
Tourists who wish to go on a shopping spree may take a ride to the nearest town of Ranthambore National Park. Along with other typical Rajasthani memorabilia such as tie and dye and batik fabrics and traditional ethnic silver jewellery, the paintings in the style of Ranthambore School of Art is the hot picks among the tourists. The paintings typically portray tigers, inspired by the Project tiger, which aims to conserve the species.
 |
Pushkar Fair is held in the month of Kartik that usually falls in October or November. One of the most sought-after fair in Rajasthan, a lot of tourists come to Pushkar Fair on pilgrimage as well as to see the display of a mystifying array of items. With the picturesque sand dunes as its backdrop, the camel fair and camel, horse and donkey races are the featured events of the fair.
People indulge themselves in body tattooing as the villagers from distant places come here to trade their wares. The fair is a gala occasion full of music and dance, fun and frolic, echoing songs in the desert land and colorful costumes of the performers. There is a tourist village designed to complement the natural beauty of the site, arranged in blocks of tents that have unique identity and are named after the famous Rajasthani dances.
One can shop for textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, bead necklaces of Nagaur, woollen blankets of Merta, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur, saddles, ropes, and many others assorted household items. Cultural shows, competitions and exhibitions are organized and movies are shown to enliven the event. One can also savor the songs and poems and bards that recite tales of valor, romance and heroism of bygone days.
HOW TO REACH.
By Air: The nearest airport to Ranthambore is Jaipur, which in turn has daily flights to and from Delhi and Mumbai. It is also well connected with Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad and Calcutta.
By Train:The nearest railway station to Ranthambore is Sawai Madhopur, which falls on Delhi-Mumbai route and hence some of the major trains stop here on their way.
By Road: Ranthambore has bus services to and from Sawai Madhopur, which is well connected with all the major cities of Rajasthan, but they may not be very comfortable. Rajasthan tourism buses are little better but the best option is to hire a four-wheeler.